Homosexuals can alter lifestyle, long-term gay relationships unlikely By Jack Volkers Correspondent The Presbyterian Layman Volume 33, Number 4 Posted August 4, 2000 LONG BEACH, Calif. – Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, an expert on therapy for homosexuals, told a luncheon meeting June 26 that homosexuality can be cured and that studies show that long-term, monogamous relationships for homosexual couples are unlikely. Addressing a gathering sponsored by OneByOne, a ministry to homosexuals, Nicolosi challenged some of the core tenets of gay activists in the Presbyterian Church (USA), including the beliefs that homosexuality is a genetic sexual orientation and that the PCUSA should bless same-sex unions because they are comparable to marriage. Much of what Nicolosi said was disputed by gay activists at committee hearings and on the floor of the General Assembly of the PCUSA during its meeting in Long Beach. “There are not two kinds of people – homosexual and heterosexual,” said Nicolosi, a psychiatrist and psychologist who is executive director of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality. “There are two kinds of people – heterosexuals who know that they are heterosexual and heterosexuals who don’t know that they are heterosexual.” Gay activists in the PCUSA have strongly opposed therapy intended to change the sexual orientation – or practices – of homosexuals, contending that therapies are harmful and that they do not accomplish their purpose. But Nicolosi suggested otherwise. He said the success rate for reparative therapy is about one-third, about the same as the success rate in other psychotherapy. He cited two recent articles published in Psychology Reports, a refereed journal. One said more than 200 psychotherapists in the United States have reported successful reparative therapy of homosexuals. The other article cited 886 specific cases of successful cure from homosexuality. “Christians always feel intimidated when challenged with scientific data,” Nicolosi said. “But good science supports good theology. There is no scientific evidence of a homosexual gene or any of the other politically correct explanations of homosexuality.” Citing a study conducted by a gay psychologist and a gay psychiatrist, Nicolosi said, “The actual fact is that long-term relationships are almost non-existent among homosexuals.” The study tracked 165 homosexual couples who said they intended to live in a long-term, monogamous relationship. “The number of couples who were able to maintain fidelity for five years?” Nicolosi asked. “Zero.” Gay activists have also alleged that the church, because it calls homosexual activity sin, is guilty of promoting persecution and violence against gays. But Nicolosi said homosexuals tend to live in “significant self-destructive behaviors” and there is no evidence that their behavior is a result of societal persecution.

Respond to this article

Home · News · PLC Publications · The Presbyterian Layman Online Reviews · Archives · History of the Lay Committee · Feedback · Links